Below is a message from Superintendent Rob Finster that was sent to district families on Monday, Oct. 30.
Dear Harrisville Families:
It is no secret that childcare has been a longstanding issue in our community. From a lack of availability to high costs, it is consistently identified as a barrier for families across the North Country. This is why I am happy to inform you a childcare center will be opening its doors right here at Harrisville Central School this coming spring!
Hand In Hand, a non-profit organization based in Lowville, is planning to open a licensed Satellite Childhood Center at our school. This was made possible through a partnership with Hand In Hand through funding from the Northern Border Regional Commission.
The center will be open to all families — regardless of whether their children attend Harrisville Central School. There will be no county residency requirements, either. It is expected that the center will provide care to children of a variety of ages.
Our district is providing the space for Hand In Hand to open the center in our school. The identified space is being retrofitted for its use. However, it is important to note that Hand In Hand will operate the Satellite Childhood Center as a separate entity from the school district. Our school district budget will not fund the operation of the Satellite Childhood Center.
We should have more information in the coming months about an exact opening date along with specific childcare costs. For now, Hand In Hand is asking anyone interested in potentially enrolling their child(ren) to complete this brief online survey.
This is a very exciting time for us all and we look forward to welcoming Hand In Hand into our school community soon. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact my office at (315) 543-2707.
Cordially,
Rob Finster
Superintendent